Wrench



C. C. STEWARD.

WRENCH.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 4, I920.

Patented Jan. 4, 1921.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

A TTORNE Y.

C. C. STEWARD.

WRENCH.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 4, I920.

UNITED STATES CHARLES C. STEWABD, 0F DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

WRENCH.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 4, 1921.

Application filed September 4, 1920. Serial No. 408,193.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that 1, CHARLES C. Srnwenn, a citizen of the United States, residing at Detroit, in the county of Wayne and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Wrenches, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to improvements in wrenches.

An important object of the invention is to provide a wrench which is readily changeable from a pipe wrench to a nut wrench.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a wrench wherein the pipe wrench is so constructed that it'may be readily adjusted to fit a pipe or other circular surface with a minimum expenditure of time and labor.

A further object of the invention 1s to provide an improved pipe wrench of the chain tong type, in which the usual central rigid jaw is replaced by a pair of pivotal jaws adapted to be arranged upon the opposite side of the pipe together with means whereby the chain utilized for holding the jaws in clamped position upon the pipe may be readily tightened or freed for adjustment.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent throughout the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention and wherein like reference characters designate like parts throughout:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of my wrench constructed in accordance with my invention, showing the same in use.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary plan view of my wrench.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary side elevation thereof.

Fig. 4.- is an enlarged sectional view showing the detail of construction of the jawbearing endof the handle and of the aws.

Fig. 5 is a bottom plan view of the lower jaw of my wrench.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the numeral 10 indicates a handle provided at one end with spaced apertures 11. An indentation is formed in the end of the handle intermediate the apertures and the shoulders thus formed are arcuate curved 13 having their points directed toward one anbther and toward the center of the handle member.

Upper and lower jaws 14: and 15 are provided, each jaw being tapered toward the other end thereof and having its inner face slightly concave and provided with angular teeth 14 Each jaw is provided at its inner end with a slot 16 forming spaced arms 17 whlch slot 16 is adapted to receive the corresponding shoulder at the end of the handle member, the jaws being held in position by pivots 18 extending through openings 19 formed in the shoulders and the openings 11 formed in the handle member. These jaws are so secured to the handle member that thelr teeth bearing faces are opposed and it will be seen from the inspection of the drawings the points of these teeth are directed somewhat downwardly or inwardly toward the handle member. Pivoted to opposite sides of the handle member as at 20 are links 21 having pivotally connected to the free end thereof as at 22 a bell crank 23.

This lever is'provided with a long arm 24 normally extending longitudinally of the handle member and a short arm 25 normall vertically disposed to the handle member. To this short arm as at 26 is pivotally con nected the end link of a chain 27 adapted to be passed about the jaws and held against displacement with relation thereto by reason of the fact that the jaws are provided with chain receiving grooves. The lower jaw 15 is provided with spaced shoulders 29 similar to those usually employed in chain tong wrenches for gripping the chain, these shoulders being adapted to receive therebetween the restricted portions of the chain 27 to per mit the shoulders 30 of the links to abut these shoulders. l/Vhile I have illustrated one form of chain, it will be understood that I do not limit myself to the chain structure herein shown, as any suitable form of flexible element which is restricted at spaced intervals so as to form shoulders with which the shoulders 29 of the lower jaw 15 may coact may be provided. It will be obvious that adjustment will be made with the long arm 24: of the lever 23 elevatedin order that the rhain may be as slack as possible at the time tioned properly this arm is drawn downwardly so that it is positioned longitudinally of the handle and secured in such position.

I have illustrated a preferred securing means for the arm 24; which is shown in the present instance as consisting in forming upon the upper surface of the arm 24 or that surface farthest removed from the handle 10, a series of serrations or notches 32. Pivotally secured to the handle 10 as at 33 is a U-shaped member 34 provided upon the base of the U with a notch engaging member 35. The member 33 is of such length that when the arm 24 lies against the handle 10 the member may be swung about its axis to enga e the notches.

t will be obvious that the shifting of the lever 23 about its pivotal connection with the links 21 in combination with the shifting of the links themselves about their pivot will permit of considerable latitude in shift ing of the chain in order to bring the links thereof into engagement with the shoulders 29 and that the shifting of the lever about its pivot will effectually tighten any slack which may remain in the chain after placing upon the shoulders. It will likewise be obvious that with the construction recited a pipe or other cylindrical surface gripped between the jaws may be rotated in either direction at the will of the operator tightening of the pull on the upper jaw compressing the lower jaw and vice versa.

It will be obvious to those familiar with the art that my device by reason of its simplicity, efficiency in operation and the cheapness with which it may be manufactured is particularly well adapted for the use for which it is intended and it will likewise be obvious that the same is capable of some change without departing from the spirit of my invention. I accordingly do not limit myself to the specific structure hereinbefore set forth except as so limited by the subjoined claims.

Having now described my invention what I claim is:

1. In a wrench of the type described, a handle portion provided at one end thereof with spaced jaws pivotally connected therewith and provided upon their opposed faces with gripping teeth, a lever positioned adjacent one side of said handle portion and pivoted intermediate its ends, a flexible element secured to one end of said lever anl embodying restricted portions and a pair of spaced shoulders formed on one of said jaws and adapted to receive therebetween the restricted portions of said flexible element.

2. In a wrench of the type described, a handle portion provided at one end thereof with upper and lower spaced jaws pivotally connected therewith and provided upon their opposed faces with gripping teeth inclining toward said handle portion, a lever positioned adjacent the upper side of said handle portion and pivoted intermediate its ends and capable of limited movement longitudinally of said handle portion, a flexible element secured to one end of said lever and embodying restricted portions and a pair of spaced shoulders formed on said lower jaw and adapted to receive therebetween the restricted portions of said flexible element. 7

3. In a wrench of the type described, a handle portion provided at one end thereof with upper and lower spaced jaws pivotally connected therewith and provided upon their opposed faces with gripping teeth, a pivotally mounted bell crank lever positioned adjacent the upper side of said handle portion, a flexible element secured to the end of one arm of said lever and embodying restricted portions and a pair of spaced shoulders formed on said lower jaw and adapted to receive therebetween the restricted portions of said flexible element.

4. In a wrench of the type described, a handle portion provided at one end thereof with upper and lower spaced jaws pivotally connected therewith and provided upon their opposed faces with gripping teeth, a pivotally mounted bell crank lever positioned adjacent the upper side of said handle portion, and capable of limited longitudinal movement with relation thereto, a flexible element secured to the end of one arm of'said lever and embodying restricted portions and a pair of spaced shoulders formed on said lower jaw and adapted to receive therebetween the restricted portions of said flexible element.

5. In a wrench of the type described, a handle portion provided at one end thereof with upper and lower spaced jaws pivotally connected therewith and provided upon their opposed faces with gripping teeth, a pair of links pivotally connected at one end to said handle, a bell crank lever pivotally connected to the free ends of said links and embodying a short and a long arm, a flexible element embodying restricted portions secured to the short arm of said bell crank lever, and a pair of spaced shoulders formed on said lower jaw and adapted to receive therebetween the restricted portions of said flexible element.

6. In a wrench of the type described, a handle portion provided at one end thereof with upper and lower spaced jaws pivotally connected therewith and provided upon their opposed faces with gripping teeth inclining toward said handle, a pair of links pivotally connected at one end to said handle, a bell crank lever pivotally connected to the free ends of said links and embodying a short and a long arm, a flexible element embodying restricted portions secured to the short arm of said bell crank lever, a pair face thereof with a series of serrations and of spaced shoulders formed on said lower a member pivotally secured to said handle jaw and adapted to receive therebetween the and provided with a portion adapted to in- 10 restricted portions of said flexible element, terchangeably engage in said serrations.

-: the long arm of said bell crank lever being In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my normally disposed longitudinally of sai signature. handle and being provided in the upper sur- CHARLES C. STEWARD. 

